Vix palace, Celtic archaeological site at Mont Lassois, Burgundy, France
Vix palace is a Celtic ruin on Mont Lassois with wooden columns and red-coated clay walls. The structure shows a large rectangular building from the late Iron Age with carefully designed interior spaces and solid construction.
The site dates to the late 6th century BCE and ranks among the oldest known structures of its type in Gaul. Archaeological excavations beginning in the early 2000s revealed that inhabitants possessed advanced building techniques during this period.
The palace combines Celtic building techniques with Mediterranean influences, particularly visible in its semicircular colonnade structure. The inhabitants blended their own construction methods with styles from southern cultures, showing their connections to distant societies.
The site sits on a hilltop with views across the surrounding valley and is reached by paths that cross through the archaeological area. Visitors should prepare for uneven ground and watch the weather since the location is exposed to the elements.
An impressive entrance portal led to the interior rooms, and roofs were covered with oak shingles. This roofing technique shows craftsmanship rarely seen in pre-Roman communities of the region.
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